Poetic Book Tours: Among The Lost by Seth Steinzor

Among The Lost by Seth Steinzor 

Back Cover:

Among the Lost, set in the modern American rust belt, is a meditation drawn from Dante’s Purgatorio. To Dante, Purgatory was the mountain where souls not damned went after death to cleanse themselves of sin in preparation for entering Paradise. What, Steinzor asks, are we preparing ourselves for, having lost the fear of hell and the hope of heaven, in the course of our daily urban existence? And whatever that is, how do we go about preparing for it?

My Review:

Hindu Religion is about attaining Nirvana, where the cycle of rebirth is broken. One strives to attain that highest status where ones soul merges with that of God. The soul stuck in mid way is in fact, how we are. We do not even realize it and that is what is terrifying. When we follow the right path then Nirvana is not as difficult as it seems.

I won't say that this book of poetry was a revelation for me. I liked the narration. The way he describes the mundane everyday life and is very near to the cycle of birth and death, being in a hospital. I always found that it is only place which levels us. We are forced to contemplate our own mortality. It is how we deal with it, is the question as well as the answer.

Lost love need not be saddening. It gives us the confidence and capability to love. However, we are lost in the maze of life and think, why me, why me....

I found the poems rhapsodic, melodious and very touching. The beauty of words cannot but touch the soul, that very soul, which wants to attain the highest state. 

The Antigone Poems by Marie Slaight and Drawings by Terrence Tasker with an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY

This voice
Is afraid to speak

Afraid
Of the brutal metal
Of its words.

Words that scrape
Words that scar
Words that have no peace.

If I utter this voice
This great
Aching scream

Its horror will echo forever

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Title: The Antigone Poems
Poetry: Mary Slaight
Art: Terrence Tasker
ISBN: 9780980644708
Publisher: An Altaire Publication/2014
Pages: 92

I did not know about Sophocles play. Antigone was a stranger to me. I have not read much of Greek Tragedies. Reading The Antigone Poems was a revelation. The despair, the bleakness and rebellion came across strongly. The poems jumped out of the pages and hit my guts hard. So so visceral.

I could even see parallel to our Hindu mythology. The Daemons are a manifestation of everything that ought not be, the evil. However, they connect the Gods with the Humans. Maybe we need that manifestation of Daemons to understand the goodness.

The struggle, the strife and suffering is not confined to Antigone. It goes beyond and we see it manifested everywhere in the present world. In any kind of war, women suffer the most. The detailing is morbid, yet it attracts the reader, the rhyming and Alliteration pulls us in. We may despair for the protagonist, but we appreciate beauty in words. The imagery, metaphors and allegory defy descriptions.

The charcoal drawings are so evocative. Sun, daemons, death pervades in most of the poems. The female spirit is the essence here, sad, tragic, despairing yet rebelling. Pleasure and pain are interchangeable.

The poems are stark and striking, appear to simplistic but encompass emotions of epic proportion. Highly recommended for all poetry lovers....The book is a keeper and I will read it again and again.....

PS: I did check out Sophocles play after reading this....

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Posting this for TLC Book Tour

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Antigone Poems

Thanks the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

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Anyone interested to read poetry is welcome for the giveaway. Just leave your email id in the comments section. I will make a draw on 22 May. This is International....

Friday 56: The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Mama and Nadia held Sara's dead body all night so that she wouldn't be alone. When Abbas finally fell asleep, he ground his teeth so hard, that the front one cracked. I remained awake the entire night. When curfew ended, I ran to the outpost and waited six hours under the brutal sun before they granted me a permit to bury my sister.

Posted for The Friday 56, which is hosted by Freda's Voice

Title: The Almond Tree
Author: Michelle Cohen Corasanti
ISBN: 9788172344870
Publisher: Finger Prints Publishing/2013
Pages: 352 pages

It is a story about two Palestinian brothers, Ahmed and Abbas. The story opens with their toddler sister being killed in a landmine. Few years later, 12 year old Ahmed sees his father accused of a false crime, their land confiscated. He and Abbas both have to work to take care of the family. Abbas has an accident and is crippled for life. Now Ahmed is a gifted child. He gets an opportunity to study further because of his brilliancy. He lives for Israel university although his mother is not keen about it. Despite prejudices, Ahmed does well in his life. 

Abbas does not approve of his brother dallying with the Jews and likes it even less when Ahmed falls in love and marries a Jewish girl. Meanwhile, Abbas joins a group perpetrating terror against the Israelis. 

I had some issues about the large families and Ahmed's single mindedness about helping his family. Abbas, on the other hand, thought about his country. He had become a cripple, was in constant pain. Yet for him, Palestine was bigger than his individuality and his family. 

The book was a revelation of some kind. We talk about the Jews suffering during the holocaust and the aftermath. No one talks about the Palestinians and their sufferings. Israel wants their land but where to the Palestinians go? There is no solution as yet. 

Amanda Rose by Karen Robards

Urged on by the guards, he mounted the rough wooden planks, his movements slow and awkward because of the confining chains. Over their clanking, he suddenly became aware of a swelling roar. Surprised, Matt looked around and down. A milling, unruly crowd stretched around the gallows like an endless expanse of sea around a tiny island.The sight stopped him in his tracks. He had not been aware of them before, wished he had not become aware of them now. They were staring up at him, a featureless blur made up of hundreds of faces, come to watch him die. Their mouths shouted obscenities; their eyes screamed hate.

“That’s him. That’s the one. Grayson—bloody murderer.”

Matt stared at them. Missiles thrown by the crowd began slicing through the air around him, rotten tomatoes and eggs and even rocks. The guards, as caught up in the maelstrom of refuse as he was, cursed viciously and hurried him up the stairs. Matt did nothing to hinder them. Every ounce of his concentration was suddenly focused on fighting down the terror that tiptoed icily up and down his spine. He scarcely felt the rock that bounced off his left temple, leaving a darkening bruise and a trickle of crimson in its wake.

Amanda Rose by Karen Robards

The novel is set in the 1840s. It opens with our hero taken to the gallows to be hanged. For a crime he did not commit. Matt Grayson is a ship & merchant owner from New Orleans and travels to England. During a business deal Matt was drugged, later to be woken up to police arresting him for the murder of a well known family in England. Somehow he escapes the hangman's rope but gets shot shot during the escape. He ends up on a beach down below a convent. Hungry, sick, injured.

Amanda Rose has been sent to the convent five years ago by her half-brother after their father dies. She is almost eighteen now and he has arranged her marriage and made a deal that he would get her inheritance after the marriage is thru. Amanda Rose does not wish to marry the person her half-brother has selected for but she also does not wish to end up in the convent. 

Unknown to the nuns, she escapes to the beach at night to calm her troubled thoughts. That's when she meets Matt Grayson. She takes him to a hidden cave and nurses him back to health. But he is caught and shot and presumed dead. And Amanda Rose is to be married in few days time.

Matt Grayson is very much alive, rescued by his brother. And he thinks Amanda led the police to him. His brother Zeke kidnaps Amanda at the behest of Matt, who is hell bent on taking revenge. He takes her to New Orleans....

The novel started out with the scene of Matt being taken to the gallows. A very harrowing experience. When he escapes, the reader breathes easy. Amanda is a spunky heroine. A fighter. There is good chemistry between them. Yet I found Matt a jerk in the second half. Zeke, his brother is a very likable character. There were moments, I wanted to kill the hero but I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Go for if you like a forceful hero as is the norm in historical romances.

Arctic Fire by Paul Byers

Title: Arctic Fire
Author: Paul Byers
ISBN: 9780615504070
Publisher: Fortress/2011
Pages: 377

When there is a water shortage, Nigel Cain decides to get it from Arctic in the shape of Massive icebergs. He builds a 5-star hotel and casino in an iceberg and invites the media and important people to witness the event. He hires Gabriel Pike, an Engineer to make it viable.

Pike feels privileged but after sometime, he finds sinister going on's in the form of a double homicide. Now Pike's main work is to save his own skin along with others.

The novel was a bit slow in the beginning but picked up pace after some time. Cain's madness can only be controlled by Pike. And he does it with aplomb. Then there is this question of man trying to play God by controlling nature. The novel makes us think. 

With a cover like that, Arctic Fire beckons one to pick it up. The premise is not for everyone. However, once one picks it up, he/she will not leave it halfway through. 

The Accused by John Grisham

He disappeared into a utility closet, came out the other side onto a landing which led to another hidden staircase. In decades past, this had been used to haul convicts from the jail to the main courtroom to face the wrath of the judges, but now it was seldom used.

Title: Theodore Boone: The Accused 
Author: John Grisham
ISBN: 9781444757194
Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton/2012

Pages: 288

Synopsis: [From the back cover]

Theodore Boone is the thirteen-year-old who knows more about the law than most adult lawyers. He certainly never expected to be a victim of crime himself. But then his bike is vandalized, he's attacked while doing his homework. and, worst of all, framed for robbery.

When stolen computer equipment turns up in Theo's school locker, the police start leaning on him hard. And he is the only suspect. What if he's found guilty? What about his dreams of becoming a lawyer?

In a race against time, aided by his renegade uncle, Ike, Theo must find the rel felon and reveal the true motivation behind the crimes of which he stands accused.

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My views: 

Theo's bike is vandalized, someone throws a rock at his window while he is doing his homework, and most of the stolen computer equipment are found in his school locker. The police get an anonymous call and Theo is the prime suspect for the robbery.

Theo has nightmares of being put in jail and everyone calling him a jailbird. It went on and on. Then his Uncle tells him to steal the password of his parents filing system in the computer. Pre-teens are easily influenced and might end up thinking it is the done thing!

I do like Grisham novels but this one did not appeal to me.

All He Saw Was The Girl by Peter Leonard

Title: All He Saw Was The Girl
Author: Peter Leonard
ISBN: 9780571255740
Publisher: Faber and Faber/2011
Pages: 304 

After reading Voices Of The Dead by Peter Leonard, I decided that I was going to pick all his books. So when I was offered to review All He Saw Was the Girl, I was thrilled. I was notdisappointed at all!

I had a roller coaster ride throughout the novel. It has the ingredients of an action movie. Drug Mafia, kidnapping, car chasing, and a love story. And all that happens in Italy, that too due to a misunderstanding! One American exchange student is kidnapped by mistake and ransom is paid for him. He feels bad about that and decides to get back the money. Without any help from anyone, he takes on the kidnappers and gets involved with the drug mafia, all by himself. 

The story jumps from one character to other but it is seamless and certain situations are so hilarious that I chuckled loudly while reading!! Here the black and white smudges into grey. No one is perfect and also no one is totally black, other than the mafia, of course! Seemingly distant situations are related in a such a way that one feels tickled by it.

What appealed to me most was the sarcastic way of thinking by the various characters. That alone makes the novel very delightful!! I am going to read all of Peter Leonard's novels!!

Teaser Tuesday: The Abduction by John Grisham

"I doubt if he abducted her."
"Well, if he's not upstairs in his room, we may have a problem."


Title: The Abduction
Author: John Grisham
ISBN: 978-0525425571
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile/2011
Pages: 256

I used to read a lot of John Grisham. The Pelican Brief is one of my favourite novels.  The Abduction was sent to me by the publisher. I was happy to receive it. But when I saw it has a teenage detective, I had my misgivings. But when I started it, I changed my mind. I am way older than the intended readership for this novel.

Theodore Boone's friend April disappears. She has a dysfunctional family and her only friend is, Theo. The police is clueless. Theo, along with his friends and an Uncle, who is the black sheep of the family, searches for her. He has a good legal knowledge (His parents are lawyers) and also has wonderful investigative skills.

This is a very enjoyable read, not too complex but keeps our interest intact till the end. It has good pace, and any adult reader too will like it. I found Theodore very knowledgeable, he hates going to school but goes nevertheless. He likes to be present in the court. This is not an blood and gore type of mystery, considering the teenage readers. That is what I liked about it. But then, John Grisham does not disappoint.

Angel Mine by Sherryl Woods

Title: Angel Mine
Author: Sherryl Woods
ISBN: 1551666006
Publisher: Mira/2000
Pages:401

When Heather comes to Wyoming in search of Todd, with her 3-year-old daughter, Angel. she does not anticipate that he would not accept his own daughter. True, he did not know about Angel but one look at her, anyone could tell she was his daughter alright. 

Todd has some issues to deal with. Heather wants him to share the responsibility of bringing up Angel. But he wants both of them out of his skin. However, he does not like it when Heather has to leave Angel in care of a 10-year-old while she works. While both deal with it, we meet some interesting characters in the novel. Those are supportive and make the novel move forward.

The beginning was very fast, the middle kind of dragged and the end 20 pages hurried through. However, I liked the way Angel pushes her way through her dad's heart. He simply can't resist her. No one can. After a lull in my reading, I liked getting back to a book, be it a romance novel!

After Innocence by Brenda Joyce

Title: After Innocence
Author: Brenda Joyce
ISBN: 9780061235269
Publisher: Avon Books/1994
Pages: 422

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From the back cover

Estranged from society, wealthy and beautiful artist Sofie O'Neil finds her private world. She longs just once to taste a forbidden love—to follow the dangerous diamond smuggler Edward Delanza to paradise. but Edward wants far more from the innocent young heiress than a brief and passing encounter. For he is determined to heal her and possess her- now...and for all time.

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My views:

Although a usual romance with a predictable happy ending, it does offer something different. Especially Suzanne, Sophie's mother. It is she who keeps the reader totally hooked. Her attitude towards Sophie takes us over the edge. It's not Sophie and Edward that hold interest but Suzanne and Jake do that. It touches that destructive kind of love that can make a person insane and thats how Suanne appears to us. I kept wanting to know the relationship betwen Jake and Suzanne and also that of Jake and Sophie. For all those romance readers, this book certainly offers something different. But then, Brenda Joyce does that with most of her novels.

After You by Julie Buxbaum

Let's pretend things are different. That in the last couple of days, I haven't become the kind of person who resorts to wishing on eyelashes, first tears of the night, and the ridiculous 11:11, both a.m. and p.m., in earnest and with my eyes closed.

Title: After You
Author: Julie Buxbaum
ISBN: 9780670066834
Publisher: Viking, Canada/2009
Pages: 336

When Ellie's best friend Lucy is murdered in London, Ellie rushes there from Boston, to be with Lucy's eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. After greeting Ellie, Sophie stops speaking. Meanwhile, Lucy's husband has withdrawn into himself and the charge of taking take of Sophie falls on Ellie. Sophie had seen her mother mugged and killed while they were going to school. Ellie loves Sophie and will go to any length to get her back on track.

Sophie, like Ellie is a book lover. Ellie thinks she has the right book to share with Sophie and that can help both deal with their feelings. Hence, both starts on the journey of reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. In the process of sharing the secret of that beautiful book, the healing process for both starts in the right direction.

Ellie too has certain issues to deal with in her personal life. Even though her marriage is disintegrating and she doesn't want to go back to her home and husband Phillip, leaving behind Sophie. For a while now, their relationship has gone down the hill. Ellie doesn't know how to deal with it. Sophie and Ellie deal with their griefs in the company of each other. Sophie has nightmares, misses her mother yet loves Ellie and can't think of letting her go. Ellie too can't leave the child even though she knows her marriage will disintegrate. Greg and Ellie become friends, what with Lucy and Sophie being the common bond. When Ellie discovers some secrets about Lucy, she is deeply shocked, about the secret and also about the fac that Lucy didn't trust her enough to share those with her. Lucy knew Ellie would disapprove.

Ellie is the narrator of the story and she understands the value of friendship, and being there at their times of need. She also knows her own deficiencies, although she doesn't know how to deal with it. The sadness is balanced out by the funny, witty moments. The sardonic manner of the narrator is not repelling as that is directed towards herself. And when she away from home, she understands the real value of home and belonging.

The colourful characters of Ellie's parents too take us in, along with her very straight brother. Her husband Phillip, too comes across well. A novel, which totally grips us, the sadness, the funny quirky moments, Gregs' idiosyncrasies, Sophie's childishness, the death of Lucy hanging in the background. And most important of all, The Secret Garden can and does heal Sophie. As it helps Ellie find home finally.

Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught

Fifteen servants wearing the traditional blue and silver livery of the Earl of Cameron left Havenhurst at dawn on the same day.

Title: Almost Heaven
Author: Judith McNaught
ISBN: 067174255
Publisher: Pocket Books/1990
Pages: 517

After a long time I picked up a historical romance novel. I think I needed this change from my usual reads.

Elizabeth Cameron, the Countess of Havenhurst is beautiful, gentle and courageous. A rare combination. She meets Ian Thornton, a mysterious stranger with lots of secrets. No one knows about his lineage or that where his wealth comes from. He is assumed to be a gambler and is a social outcast. When Elizabeth is discovered in his arms one night, she has to face the consequences of it alone, what with her reputation being in shreds. She finds herself with no friends and her half-brother too disappears. Elizabeth finds herself in deep debt and has to do all she can to keep her home, Havenhurst.

Her uncle is adamant that she marry as he is not too keen to look after the upkeep of her home. Thence, he sends fifteen identical letters to anyone who had wished to be her suitor before the scandal broke out. Elizabeth does not wish to do as he bids but as no choice in the matter. Somehow, she and her aunt end up in Scottish Highlands, which is the home of Ian Thornton because of a mistake on the part of his clerk. Ian doesn't know what to do with them although his first instinct is to throw them out in the cold. But he can't do that.

From there follows a merry dance led by both. They try their best to avoid each other but can't escape the strong attraction between them. Elizabeth's aunt is no help. Infact she designs that they meet at every chance. Ian learns that it is he who is responsible for her state, the scandal, the debt and no suitors. He tries to make amends in the only way he can, although he can. They are destined to be together, yet misunderstandings drives them apart again and again. How does it get resolved?

It is not that romance which interested me. It is the strong heroine, who is so business minded and has a keen sense of bargaining. Her business acumen even interests Ian, who grows to respect that part of her. Elizabeth is not the weepy kind of female. She is fearless in facing anything, even making a fool of herself in front of everyone. She can go to any length to save what she loves most but her ense of fairness never deserts her. Ian too not one those males who think they are superior. He thinks and makes it known to Elizabeth that she is his equal. In every way. Even in his rage, he can't banish her from his mind, heart and soul. And her convictions keep her alive.

I truly liked reading this book. For the characterizations, both the main ones and the others, who play important roles in their lives.

Teaser Tuesdays: Alvor by Laura Bingham

She felt her blood run cold. Every cell in her body froze as this man looked at her even through the invisibility ward. She couldn't take her eyes off of him.
~Page 213


Title: Alvor
Author: Laura Bingham
ISBN: 9781599552729
Publisher: Sweetwater Books/2009
Pages:274


In their summer holidays, fifteen year old Erin and her twin brother Bain come across a cabin in the woods near their home and discover that the cabin contains magic. There they meet fairies, dragons and other creatures like winged horses. Not to forget Butterflies who can speak to them. Both discover their own magical powers and are also taught more powers. On their path of learning new things, they discover that they are being trained to be elves.

The conflict in their mind is whether to leave the present world and join the new magical one. They do leave home and go to that magical place. They learm magic, mind control, sword fighting, dragon riding and so much more. Then Bain disappears and Erin is the one who can find him.

This is YA fantasy novel which will please that age group. Writing is good and the interesting creatures they meet is very well brought out. Erin and Bain share a deep bonding and also Erin and the dragon Pulsar too share something rare. They can commune through their minds. Both the siblings have what it takes to learn new things. There is evil shown too, without which the novel would have dragged. Initially I too felt there is so much goodness that it starts to wan! And a litle more adventure wouldn't have come amiss. I think girls will like it more than boys. My copy goes to the first kid who speaks out for fantasy fiction.

TSS: A La Carte by Tanita S Davis

Title: A La Carte
Author: Tanita S Davis
ISBN: 9780375848155
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf /2008
Pages: 278

Lainey, a seventeen year old girl has only one dream, that to be a world class chef. She occasionally helps her mother run her gourmet restaurant and also swears by St. Julia Child. Even though she still is in school but dreams of making it big.

Her one time best friend Simeon borrows $500 from her and runs away. He has some drug problems and has even manipulated others for it. Lainey finds it difficult to face this about him and her mother too diapproves about her lending money to Sim.

When Lainey faces the truth about Sim's character, she thinks of her relationship with him over the years. When he does come back, Lainey knows how to deal with him. And also the fact that her cooking has been paying. She also finds new friends.

This is a growing of age book. With lots of hand written recipes, it was a pleasure to read this book. At places, it does sound a bit out of place and Sim's character should have been clearer to Lainey much before this, But considering Lainey is 17 year-old, it makes sense too. Overall, it is a pleasurable read, not serious but a light one. And YA readers will love this book.

And I recently read Mare's War by the same author and loved it. That is an entirely different from this.

Angel's Advocate by Mary Stanton

Title: Angel's Advocate
Author: Mary Stanton
ISBN: 9780425228753
Publisher: Berkeley Prime Crime/2009
Pages: 292

It is what is called paranormal cozy mystery. I had liked the premise and asked for it from the author and she was kind enough to send it to me.

Bree is trying to make both ends meet in order to run the law firm Beaufort and Company. As she takes up cases for those who are already dead, there isn't any cash flow. So she takes up the case of a spoilt rich girl who has snatched mioney from a girl scout selling cookies. Everyone is outraged by it and Bree knows her name is going to be mud.

Then she is confronted by the ghost of that millionaire who needs her help to clear his name. According to him, he did not commit suicide but was murdered. Now Bree is doubly determined to find out the secrets carefully hidden by all. Lindsay is made out to be the troublesome teenager with no love lost for her. She is disliked by her family and friends. Bree thinks everyone needs a second chance and so does Lindsay.

With spirits as her aids, she goes about her work, digging into the deeply buried secrets in order to save Lindsay and her dad's from burning in hell for eternity. Bree is fair and she knows what to do even when confronted by spooky ghosts. Angel's Advocate is a breezy read. Comfortable and with a good ending. For that inbetween read, it works very well.

Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers

"Molly? Where is my Molly?"

Title: Angel of Wrath
Author: Bill Myers
ISBN: 9780446698009
Publisher: Faith Words/2009
pages: 316

Charlie Madison, an ex-special Ops agent, Lisa, a ex FBI agent and Jazmin, Chalie's 13 year old deaf niece get somehow embroiled in finding out a serial killer, who is killing all those who he thinks are unforgiving 'Sinners'.

A few teens are indulging in Satanic practices in the deeep mountains. They want Jesus and Satan to come together. And uknowing release a terrifyingly unknown entity in to the world. That creature known as Mothman, attacks its victim via memories. When the serial killer and the creature come together, all hell is broken lose.

It becomes imperative for Charlie, Lisa and Jaz to get into the bottom of all this. Lisa's father too is one of the marked victim, as is Lisa herself. Her brother Thomas, is taken as one of the suspects.

It is the the eternal tale of Goodness versus Evil. And sometimes the line between the two gets smudged. It might have been pegged as Christian fiction but I think it works well as a fantasy novel. YA readers will like it, if they don't think much of the Christian elements. Being a good human being is more important than following any religion, and its dictates religiously. Thats what I infer from what I read.

It was released on 8th April, the day I started reading the ARC, which I won in a giveaway!

Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Death disturbed the night. The Sound of squeaking wheels grew louder, as did the clicking of horse hooves scraping across cobbelstones.

Title: Aurelia
Author: Anne Osterlund
ISBN: 9780142405796
Publisher: Speak/2008
Pages: 246

Aurelia is a princess who is next in line of throne. The King discovers that someone is trying to kill his daughter. He does not tell his daughter about the assassination attempts. Robert, a former classmate of Aurelia is assigned the job of unearthing the plot and people behind it. He has a tough job as he can't talk about it to the princess.

At every step Aurelia tries to escape the palace at one guise or other. She is more a commoner than a princess. She wants to know the problems of her kingdom. The people have been rendered poor because of more and more taxes levied by the King. The King has to do it to please his second wife, Elise's extravagancy. Aurelia is against it but she can't do any thing about it unless she inherits the throne. And she has to find a nobel person to marry too. She is not keen on marrying anyone her father choses for her.

So for so good. The starting is good, the premise is what really made me want to read it. Who really wants her dead? The people of her kingdom love her dearly. Only someone who is closer and gains by her death can wish for her death. Who is it? Robert does unearth it all. However, the king is not ready for any scandal and he wants Aurelia to keep quiet about the whole thing. This is what completely weakened the story. How can someone who wants her dead go scotfree? What compulsion does the king have to save that person? Most important, why does Aurelia simply give in? She is brave, with so much of wit and guts. So why? I found the ending so very wanting. I would have thought Aurelia to rise above it all. Rebel against her father's wishes and reveal the culprit for all. But....

And One Rode West by Heather Graham

Title: And One Rode West
Author: Heather Graham
ISBN: 0440211484
Publisher: Dell Books/1992
Pages: 465

This year I have a lot of romances it seems. I have not reviewed all of those. However I thought I would review this.

Christa's fiance has died in the civil war and she is heart broken but her brothers do return to their families. Meanwhile their plantation is under threat of being confisticated by the Tankees, whom Christa hates. But the only way to save it is by marrying one. Union Colonel Jeremy McCautley, who sister is married to one of Christa's brother arrives there to say goodbye to his sister but somehow ends up accepting Christa's proposal of marriage even though both hate each other. He knows both have sold their soul to the devil. Under the circumstances, he tries to get the best out of the bargain. Only problem is, his wilful wife is not ready to bend to his way.

He does make her come west with him although she is not too keen about it. Despite not being able to stand each other, their passion is very palpable. (But that's what is supposed to happen in romances!). The second half is about the journey and interesting. We see the bonds between Christa and her brothers Jesse and Daniel. Jeremy too is much attached to his sister Callie, who is married to Daniel.

Good for those who like romances. It has all the ingredients of it. However, I think I will give romance novels a rest. I have had my fill of those.

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handel

Title: Any Given Doomsday
Author: Lori Handel
ISBN: 9780312949198
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperback/2008
Pages: 343

I had seen this book make the rounds of book blogging world and requested a copy from the author. She was kind enough to send me one. This book is pegged as urban fantasy. I usually do not go in for paranormal fiction. This time I thought to read one or two books on that.

Elizabeth Phoenix is a psychic who helps the police to fight against injustice. She is good at it too, although she does not know how she got the psychic skills. Her foster mother is found murdered and she becomes unconscious while she is there. She has this strange memory of seeing weird creatures. Her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci is presumed to be involved in the murder.

Jimmy knows the truth and makes it known the evil has been there from the beginning of time and she is the chosen one to lead and destroy it. Elizabeth has no inkling what to do other than her instincts to follow.

So far so good. As a start this sounds good. But it fizzles out in the middle. Too many creatures, to many things happening, which somehow do not connect. And there is excess of sex. I felt those were not needed. Not with Jimmy or with Sawyer. The sex is kind of demeaning, to control her. That completely put me off. I think I should better stay away from paranormal fiction, if it is one. For those who like that genre, it might interest them a lot. I kept waiting for the climax and I was disappointed.

Artificial Imagination by Kalpanik S.

Title: Artificial Imagination
Author: Kalpanik S.
ISBN: 9780981476216
Publisher: Center of Artificia Imagination/2008
Pages: 163

I received this book from Ijustfinished.com. I had read this book long time back but got to write a review only now. Frankly speaking, this book is not easy to review. That is not to say, I didn't enjoy reading it. On the contrary.

Kalpanik S. is an artificial imagination software program who lives with his wife and two daughters in the United States. Despite being a software programme, he has been solely created to be different, to feel and be like a real human. This book takes the reader through adventures of Kalpanik.
Artificial Imagination is a humorous and well-written book. It has some great photographs. I enjoyed the book although it is written very differently from what I usually read. I would recommend it for all science lovers! However, it is not a book meant to be read by all.